Michael Owen (now retired)

[Theregulars]

As a pretty much lifelong Londoner this is a really interesting conversation. I think London can be daunting, overwhelming and downright hostile when you don't know too many people down here and you come down on a "solo" venture, like working without having a contacts base. If you go to university or school here, or start a graduate job with others at the same time - just anything where you have people to talk to and spend time with - then London is a fantastic place where you can create so many good memories. It's an incredible city for music, film, art, literature and theatre; it's a brilliant place if you are interested in history and architecture just by walking around, it's got a world-class intellectual reputation and a beautify university quarter; it's one of the best places in the world for any kind of dining, but especially market food; and it's one of the greatest places on earth to get pissed in. And that's not mentioning things like the beautiful parks, the absolute mega range of people you might meet and places/cultures you might learn about or things you might try.

 

But at the same time, the weather is just grim, for every lovely place there is an absolute dive just round the corner, there are far, far too many people, there are on obscene amount of pretentious people, hostile people, rude people, arrogant people and ignorant people. Lots of public infrastructure doesn't work and it's just expected as standard, especially parts of the tube which don't run sometimes for no reason and roadworks never end. Everything is stupidly expensive, especially rent which is obscene and council tax. It's really difficult to find a quiet moment for yourself or hear yourself think sometimes, and getting anywhere takes forever.

 

On balance it isn't in my top 5 cities, but it's in my top ten. I don't think you can just say "it's shit", I think you've got to be fairly oblivious not to be able to find something to your taste in London.

[Kaizero]

I couldn't live in London. Too crowded, too many tossers, and it doesn't feel like England to me anymore.  All the English have escaped north!

The line about there not being anything to do up here is bollocks. If you enjoy clean air, walking, bike riding, surfing, whatever, you can do it all in the NE, as well as having the benefits of a lively city.

 

Many, many northerners have "escaped" south as well actually, mainly with work as the main reason but there are lots down here nonetheless. And in terms of stuff most people like to do in their 20s - eating, drinking, generally getting entertained in one way or another - there is simply lots more to do down here and you therefore don't find yourself in the same old places. Not slagging off Newcastle because I love it and will go back when we're settling down but London gets a lot of stick simply because it's London IMO.

 

Capitol related anger tbh. It's prevalent in more countries. Norwegians not livining in Oslo hates Oslo, for no good reason really. Same goes with most Swedes I know regarding Stockholm as well. If you're not from there or have lived there you generelly grow up being told what a shit place it is filled with this and that and so on.

 

Then you also get the "natives" of capitols hating everyone not living there for no good reason. Basically people in the city rhinking everyone not there are backwards cunts and everyone not in the city thinking everyone there are cunts.

[Fenham Mag]

How did this start btw?

[Guest neesy111]

London has it's up and downsides like every city in the UK/world.

 

I sadly had a shit job (lied about) when I went down to work there for 18 months.  Though I'm perfectly happy up North again and I do feel I'm better off earning slightly less as I am now but I will be able to get onto the housing ladder etc, which is something that is near impossible in London.

 

London is very crowded, the rat race is very stressful but there is plenty of things to do.  Something else missed upon is the ridiculous amount of places you can fly to via Easy Jet and RyanAir for a weekend away.

[Guest neesy111]

How did this start btw?

 

Suarez and Arsenal?

[Interpolic]

As a pretty much lifelong Londoner this is a really interesting conversation. I think London can be daunting, overwhelming and downright hostile when you don't know too many people down here and you come down on a "solo" venture, like working without having a contacts base. If you go to university or school here, or start a graduate job with others at the same time - just anything where you have people to talk to and spend time with - then London is a fantastic place where you can create so many good memories. It's an incredible city for music, film, art, literature and theatre; it's a brilliant place if you are interested in history and architecture just by walking around, it's got a world-class intellectual reputation and a beautify university quarter; it's one of the best places in the world for any kind of dining, but especially market food; and it's one of the greatest places on earth to get pissed in. And that's not mentioning things like the beautiful parks, the absolute mega range of people you might meet and places/cultures you might learn about or things you might try.

 

But at the same time, the weather is just grim, for every lovely place there is an absolute dive just round the corner, there are far, far too many people, there are on obscene amount of pretentious people, hostile people, rude people, arrogant people and ignorant people. Lots of public infrastructure doesn't work and it's just expected as standard, especially parts of the tube which don't run sometimes for no reason and roadworks never end. Everything is stupidly expensive, especially rent which is obscene and council tax. It's really difficult to find a quiet moment for yourself or hear yourself think sometimes, and getting anywhere takes forever.

 

On balance it isn't in my top 5 cities, but it's in my top ten. I don't think you can just say "it's shit", I think you've got to be fairly oblivious not to be able to find something to your taste in London.

 

Excellent post, only things I disagree with are about everything being expensive when in fact it's mainly the rent which is extortionate and also taking ages to get anywhere, as we live in a place with good transport links and can get to most places in 40 minutes, tops. As I say though, good post.

[madras]

horses for courses, i've always preferred the open spaces. there was a time when half my mates lived in London and visiting them was OK (great to see them etc) but the place left me cold. more bands to see but i'm not a fan of seeing bands for the sake of it, they have to be my faves. London does have it's advantages but so close to the coast, so close to the cheviots and lakes edges it for me. maybe because i've been brought up here but Newcastle is just about right size wise for me. small enough to walk easily, but still big enough to be anonymous in. I've had the choice on a few occasions to move down south and there just wasn't enough in it for me.

[Disco]

Arguably the best city on Earth for more or less everything but wouldn't want to live/work there. Too much stress/hassle.

[henke]

I'm 36 and will be properly visiting London for the first time in October, can't fucking wait to be honest. I've been to the cup final and caught the tube from the station to Heathrow before but that doesn't count.

 

Just thought i'd hoy that in.

[Interpolic]

Arguably the best city on Earth for more or less everything but wouldn't want to live/work there. Too much stress/hassle.

 

I genuinely feel like I don't have a lot of stress or hassle in my life that I can put down to being in London, I suppose I must just be used to it. When I first moved down here I thought it was pure bedlam though.

 

[Oakie Doke]

I'm 36 and will be properly visiting London for the first time in October, can't f***ing wait to be honest. I've been to the cup final and caught the tube from the station to Heathrow before but that doesn't count.

 

Just thought i'd hoy that in.

A bit of advice: wear gloves. You'll know why when you get there.

[Interpolic]

Where do you live, Oakie?

[Disco]

Arguably the best city on Earth for more or less everything but wouldn't want to live/work there. Too much stress/hassle.

 

I genuinely feel like I don't have a lot of stress or hassle in my life that I can put down to being in London, I suppose I must just be used to it. When I first moved down here I thought it was pure bedlam though.

 

 

May well be true but I know your travelling on to work & hours at work will be worse than mine. I'm a lazy fucker though.

[Tiresias]

For the record for jumping on teh london hate early on, I actually have enjoyed plenty of visits to the capital and sure that the idiot to decent person ratio is probably no different than anywhere else, and I love the scale of it, I wish I had more time to explore it.

 

I did also feel I'd been mugged by all the prices mind, and does seem just too busy for me to cope, I think the problem is visiting it you don't find the quiet places. The people on the underground seemed rather rude too.

[Interpolic]

Arguably the best city on Earth for more or less everything but wouldn't want to live/work there. Too much stress/hassle.

 

I genuinely feel like I don't have a lot of stress or hassle in my life that I can put down to being in London, I suppose I must just be used to it. When I first moved down here I thought it was pure bedlam though.

 

 

May well be true but I know your travelling on to work & hours at work will be worse than mine. I'm a lazy fucker though.

 

I'm really lucky travel-wise, I should get the bus because it's cheaper but have worked out that getting the tube allows me to get out of bed at 8am and rush like fuck to get out the door by 8.30 and still get in by 9.  My hours at work have fluctuated like hell, I rarely work more than 40 or so hours a week at the minute but have went through spells there where 50-55 hours was normal, and I can feel it getting busier again.  I'm also a lazy fucker but will put in the extra work and travel if/when needed.

 

For the record for jumping on teh london hate early on, I actually have enjoyed plenty of visits to the capital and sure that the idiot to decent person ratio is probably no different than anywhere else, and I love the scale of it, I wish I had more time to explore it.

 

I did also feel I'd been mugged by all the prices mind, and does seem just too busy for me to cope, I think the problem is visiting it you don't find the quiet places. The people on the underground seemed rather rude too.

 

The underground is the pits at times, rush hour on that thing is when I really need to rein myself in and not get pissed off by the inhumanity of it all.

[Cajun]

I'm not really a fan of London.

 

I think It's a mix of not really knowing where the best places are and being someone who has simple needs. I do much prefer Newcastle as everything I want is in walking distance and I remember where it all is

 

Growing up in quite a small, basic town is probably the reason for this

[Guest Howaythetoon]

As a pretty much lifelong Londoner this is a really interesting conversation. I think London can be daunting, overwhelming and downright hostile when you don't know too many people down here and you come down on a "solo" venture, like working without having a contacts base. If you go to university or school here, or start a graduate job with others at the same time - just anything where you have people to talk to and spend time with - then London is a fantastic place where you can create so many good memories. It's an incredible city for music, film, art, literature and theatre; it's a brilliant place if you are interested in history and architecture just by walking around, it's got a world-class intellectual reputation and a beautify university quarter; it's one of the best places in the world for any kind of dining, but especially market food; and it's one of the greatest places on earth to get p*ssed in. And that's not mentioning things like the beautiful parks, the absolute mega range of people you might meet and places/cultures you might learn about or things you might try.

 

But at the same time, the weather is just grim, for every lovely place there is an absolute dive just round the corner, there are far, far too many people, there are on obscene amount of pretentious people, hostile people, rude people, arrogant people and ignorant people. Lots of public infrastructure doesn't work and it's just expected as standard, especially parts of the tube which don't run sometimes for no reason and roadworks never end. Everything is stupidly expensive, especially rent which is obscene and council tax. It's really difficult to find a quiet moment for yourself or hear yourself think sometimes, and getting anywhere takes forever.

 

On balance it isn't in my top 5 cities, but it's in my top ten. I don't think you can just say "it's s***", I think you've got to be fairly oblivious not to be able to find something to your taste in London.

 

 

Although I wouldn't say it was that expensive in terms of eating out etc. In fact due to the sheer diversity and quantity of places to eat, its actually cheaper than most places on that front.

 

The Tube is frustrating but great at the same time, for getting about. Buses are a nightmare due to the traffic and driving around, well, its a nightmare. It took me, last Friday, 1 hour to get to Twickenham from the North Circular Road due to traffic, even though its only 6 miles or so to my sister's.

 

Even taking my niece and her lad to their hotel which was 2 miles away from my sister's took 30 minutes to get there.

 

Taxis are a rip off though and very expensive and f you're not from the area or know the place well, they will rip you off or try to.

 

I also work a lot in London and find it can be very stressful and demanding due to how big the place is, how crowded it is and of course, the traffic. In that sense it can be very tough going.

 

There are also lots of grim areas. The wealth in London is held tightly by a very small minority and this is reflected in the areas. Chiswick for example is affluent yet around the corner Acton is a bit of a shit hole.

 

The people are not the friendliest either.

 

But there are some great places, some great parks and when the weather is lovely and you're not working, are with friends and family etc. there isn't many better places to be to be honest.

 

I used to hate London but the more time you get to spend there and the more you get used to it the more you can enjoy it. The key is to enjoy it and not get too hung up on the bad parts.

 

Oh, and it doesn't stink of piss!

[Rebellious]

As a pretty much lifelong Londoner this is a really interesting conversation. I think London can be daunting, overwhelming and downright hostile when you don't know too many people down here and you come down on a "solo" venture, like working without having a contacts base. If you go to university or school here, or start a graduate job with others at the same time - just anything where you have people to talk to and spend time with - then London is a fantastic place where you can create so many good memories. It's an incredible city for music, film, art, literature and theatre; it's a brilliant place if you are interested in history and architecture just by walking around, it's got a world-class intellectual reputation and a beautify university quarter; it's one of the best places in the world for any kind of dining, but especially market food; and it's one of the greatest places on earth to get p*ssed in. And that's not mentioning things like the beautiful parks, the absolute mega range of people you might meet and places/cultures you might learn about or things you might try.

 

But at the same time, the weather is just grim, for every lovely place there is an absolute dive just round the corner, there are far, far too many people, there are on obscene amount of pretentious people, hostile people, rude people, arrogant people and ignorant people. Lots of public infrastructure doesn't work and it's just expected as standard, especially parts of the tube which don't run sometimes for no reason and roadworks never end. Everything is stupidly expensive, especially rent which is obscene and council tax. It's really difficult to find a quiet moment for yourself or hear yourself think sometimes, and getting anywhere takes forever.

 

On balance it isn't in my top 5 cities, but it's in my top ten. I don't think you can just say "it's s***", I think you've got to be fairly oblivious not to be able to find something to your taste in London.

 

 

Although I wouldn't say it was that expensive in terms of eating out etc. In fact due to the sheer diversity and quantity of places to eat, its actually cheaper than most places on that front.

 

The Tube is frustrating but great at the same time, for getting about. Buses are a nightmare due to the traffic and driving around, well, its a nightmare. It took me, last Friday, 1 hour to get to Twickenham from the North Circular Road due to traffic, even though its only 6 miles or so to my sister's.

 

Even taking my niece and her lad to their hotel which was 2 miles away from my sister's took 30 minutes to get there.

 

Taxis are a rip off though and very expensive and f you're not from the area or know the place well, they will rip you off or try to.

 

I also work a lot in London and find it can be very stressful and demanding due to how big the place is, how crowded it is and of course, the traffic. In that sense it can be very tough going.

 

There are also lots of grim areas. The wealth in London is held tightly by a very small minority and this is reflected in the areas. Chiswick for example is affluent yet around the corner Acton is a bit of a shit hole.

 

The people are not the friendliest either.

 

But there are some great places, some great parks and when the weather is lovely and you're not working, are with friends and family etc. there isn't many better places to be to be honest.

 

I used to hate London but the more time you get to spend there and the more you get used to it the more you can enjoy it. The key is to enjoy it and not get too hung up on the bad parts.

 

Oh, and it doesn't stink of piss!

 

Having lived there I would say its great to visit, but a crap place to live, depending on what you want out of life. The one city I can`t wait to visit again is Paris.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

As a pretty much lifelong Londoner this is a really interesting conversation. I think London can be daunting, overwhelming and downright hostile when you don't know too many people down here and you come down on a "solo" venture, like working without having a contacts base. If you go to university or school here, or start a graduate job with others at the same time - just anything where you have people to talk to and spend time with - then London is a fantastic place where you can create so many good memories. It's an incredible city for music, film, art, literature and theatre; it's a brilliant place if you are interested in history and architecture just by walking around, it's got a world-class intellectual reputation and a beautify university quarter; it's one of the best places in the world for any kind of dining, but especially market food; and it's one of the greatest places on earth to get p*ssed in. And that's not mentioning things like the beautiful parks, the absolute mega range of people you might meet and places/cultures you might learn about or things you might try.

 

But at the same time, the weather is just grim, for every lovely place there is an absolute dive just round the corner, there are far, far too many people, there are on obscene amount of pretentious people, hostile people, rude people, arrogant people and ignorant people. Lots of public infrastructure doesn't work and it's just expected as standard, especially parts of the tube which don't run sometimes for no reason and roadworks never end. Everything is stupidly expensive, especially rent which is obscene and council tax. It's really difficult to find a quiet moment for yourself or hear yourself think sometimes, and getting anywhere takes forever.

 

On balance it isn't in my top 5 cities, but it's in my top ten. I don't think you can just say "it's s***", I think you've got to be fairly oblivious not to be able to find something to your taste in London.

 

 

Although I wouldn't say it was that expensive in terms of eating out etc. In fact due to the sheer diversity and quantity of places to eat, its actually cheaper than most places on that front.

 

The Tube is frustrating but great at the same time, for getting about. Buses are a nightmare due to the traffic and driving around, well, its a nightmare. It took me, last Friday, 1 hour to get to Twickenham from the North Circular Road due to traffic, even though its only 6 miles or so to my sister's.

 

Even taking my niece and her lad to their hotel which was 2 miles away from my sister's took 30 minutes to get there.

 

Taxis are a rip off though and very expensive and f you're not from the area or know the place well, they will rip you off or try to.

 

I also work a lot in London and find it can be very stressful and demanding due to how big the place is, how crowded it is and of course, the traffic. In that sense it can be very tough going.

 

There are also lots of grim areas. The wealth in London is held tightly by a very small minority and this is reflected in the areas. Chiswick for example is affluent yet around the corner Acton is a bit of a s*** hole.

 

The people are not the friendliest either.

 

But there are some great places, some great parks and when the weather is lovely and you're not working, are with friends and family etc. there isn't many better places to be to be honest.

 

I used to hate London but the more time you get to spend there and the more you get used to it the more you can enjoy it. The key is to enjoy it and not get too hung up on the bad parts.

 

Oh, and it doesn't stink of p*ss!

 

Having lived there I would say its great to visit, but a crap place to live, depending on what you want out of life. The one city I can`t wait to visit again is Paris.

 

Aye, love Paris me. I'm going there again soon, can't wait!

 

RE London, it depends where abouts you live same with any City really.

[Rebellious]

As a pretty much lifelong Londoner this is a really interesting conversation. I think London can be daunting, overwhelming and downright hostile when you don't know too many people down here and you come down on a "solo" venture, like working without having a contacts base. If you go to university or school here, or start a graduate job with others at the same time - just anything where you have people to talk to and spend time with - then London is a fantastic place where you can create so many good memories. It's an incredible city for music, film, art, literature and theatre; it's a brilliant place if you are interested in history and architecture just by walking around, it's got a world-class intellectual reputation and a beautify university quarter; it's one of the best places in the world for any kind of dining, but especially market food; and it's one of the greatest places on earth to get p*ssed in. And that's not mentioning things like the beautiful parks, the absolute mega range of people you might meet and places/cultures you might learn about or things you might try.

 

But at the same time, the weather is just grim, for every lovely place there is an absolute dive just round the corner, there are far, far too many people, there are on obscene amount of pretentious people, hostile people, rude people, arrogant people and ignorant people. Lots of public infrastructure doesn't work and it's just expected as standard, especially parts of the tube which don't run sometimes for no reason and roadworks never end. Everything is stupidly expensive, especially rent which is obscene and council tax. It's really difficult to find a quiet moment for yourself or hear yourself think sometimes, and getting anywhere takes forever.

 

On balance it isn't in my top 5 cities, but it's in my top ten. I don't think you can just say "it's s***", I think you've got to be fairly oblivious not to be able to find something to your taste in London.

 

 

Although I wouldn't say it was that expensive in terms of eating out etc. In fact due to the sheer diversity and quantity of places to eat, its actually cheaper than most places on that front.

 

The Tube is frustrating but great at the same time, for getting about. Buses are a nightmare due to the traffic and driving around, well, its a nightmare. It took me, last Friday, 1 hour to get to Twickenham from the North Circular Road due to traffic, even though its only 6 miles or so to my sister's.

 

Even taking my niece and her lad to their hotel which was 2 miles away from my sister's took 30 minutes to get there.

 

Taxis are a rip off though and very expensive and f you're not from the area or know the place well, they will rip you off or try to.

 

I also work a lot in London and find it can be very stressful and demanding due to how big the place is, how crowded it is and of course, the traffic. In that sense it can be very tough going.

 

There are also lots of grim areas. The wealth in London is held tightly by a very small minority and this is reflected in the areas. Chiswick for example is affluent yet around the corner Acton is a bit of a s*** hole.

 

The people are not the friendliest either.

 

But there are some great places, some great parks and when the weather is lovely and you're not working, are with friends and family etc. there isn't many better places to be to be honest.

 

I used to hate London but the more time you get to spend there and the more you get used to it the more you can enjoy it. The key is to enjoy it and not get too hung up on the bad parts.

 

Oh, and it doesn't stink of p*ss!

 

Having lived there I would say its great to visit, but a crap place to live, depending on what you want out of life. The one city I can`t wait to visit again is Paris.

 

Aye, love Paris me. I'm going there again soon, can't wait!

 

RE London, it depends where abouts you live same with any City really.

 

Yeah I suppose, Paris though in the summer, you can`t beat it, especially the area around the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

[henke]

I'm 36 and will be properly visiting London for the first time in October, can't f***ing wait to be honest. I've been to the cup final and caught the tube from the station to Heathrow before but that doesn't count.

 

Just thought i'd hoy that in.

A bit of advice: wear gloves. You'll know why when you get there.

 

Err, why? 

[wacko]

I prefer Hamburg to London/Paris, tbh. Lots of cycle paths

[NG32]

I prefer Hamburg to London/Paris, tbh. Lots of cycle paths

 

SHIT loads of cycle paths, got sick of being told off for accidentally strolling into them. 

[Al Moody]

I love London. Lived here nigh on nine years now, apart from 6 months back in Newcastle last year.

 

I don't find it as intimidating, mental  or too busy as some have said. I love the diversity, the endless list of things to do and see, and eat and drink. I came down for uni, and have had a string of totally different jobs/career paths along the way. Right now I'm trying to figure out my next move, and may well find myself back in Newcastle full time sooner rather than later, but the only reason for this would be because I want to be closer to my family.

 

The whole North vs South thing is pretty boring, though. One's home, the other's an amazing place to live and work in for a bit, as a young/youngish/maybe not so young person.

 

As Interpolic touched on, the only place I really encounter any rudeness or major negativity is on the tube in the morning or after work. Some people are just c***s, and I love having a go at them from time to time.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I love London. Lived here nigh on nine years now, apart from 6 months back in Newcastle last year.

 

I don't find it as intimidating, mental  or too busy as some have said. I love the diversity, the endless list of things to do and see, and eat and drink. I came down for uni, and have had a string of totally different jobs/career paths along the way. Right now I'm trying to figure out my next move, and may well find myself back in Newcastle full time sooner rather than later, but the only reason for this would be because I want to be closer to my family.

 

The whole North vs South thing is pretty boring, though. One's home, the other's an amazing place to live and work in for a bit, as a young/youngish/maybe not so young person.

 

As Interpolic touched on, the only place I really encounter any rudeness or major negativity is on the tube in the morning or after work. Some people are just c***s, and I love having a go at them from time to time.

 

 

Totally agree, I've been in London just over 3 years and I still feel like I'm on holiday. It's an endlessly interesting place.

 

All I would say is that it gets much better once you know what to do and where to avoid at certain times. For example, walk up Oxford St and your walk is stressful and annoying, walk one street parallel and it's pleasant and quite interesting. There are many, many examples of this... the beauty is you can create exactly the experience you want if you're careful about stuff like that.

 

(Paris, New York and Istanbul are my other favourites, but obviously never lived in them)